Last updated October 6, 2026 · ranked from 6,644 Google reviews · How we rank
This list ranks 8 breakfast spots in and around Clarkston, MI, led by Mel's Grill 2, Mel's Grill and Starbucks Coffee Company. Together they have 6,644 Google reviews; Mel's Grill 2 has the highest Google rating on the list at 4.7. Every place on the list is in Clarkston, MI. Rankings weigh Google rating, review volume, how complete and current each listing is, and our own notes on each place.
Breakfast variety and attentive service put Mel's Grill 2 at No. 1 in Clarkston, MI, backed by a 4.7 Google rating from 757 reviews. One reviewer praises the breakfast selection, while another notes friendly servers and a clean dining room. At 7080 Gateway Park Dr, the casual, cozy restaurant opens daily at 7 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Notable coffee, vegetarian choices, and a children's menu give solo diners and families several reasons to stop in for breakfast.
Daily 7 a.m. opening
Notable coffee
Vegetarian choices
“This place I just love to bad it closes early. It's worth the drive. If u want to try a new place with a little twist in the food”
Daily 7 a.m. openings and a 4.7 Google rating from 935 reviews help earn Mel's Grill the No. 2 spot in Clarkston, MI. At 4545 Pelton Rd, this casual, cozy breakfast stop offers notable coffee, comfort food, and vegetarian choices. One reviewer praised the country fried steak served with three eggs, sausage gravy, and toast; another described making breakfast visits almost weekly. A children's menu, high chairs, and a review praising the staff's treatment of young children add practical reasons for families to visit.
Opens daily at seven
Notable coffee
Children's menu available
“My favorite breakfast spot. The wife and I try to make it to breakfast at least once a week.”
A 4:30 a.m. opening every day gives Starbucks Coffee Company at 6320 Sashabaw Road a practical edge for early breakfast runs in the Clarkston, MI area. It earns rank 3 for its combination of breakfast and pastries, coffee, espresso and tea, plus drive-through, takeout and dine-in options. Its Google rating is 4.2 from 721 reviews, and one reviewer specifically praises a barista’s kindness and cup drawings. Indoor and outdoor seating and Wi-Fi also make it useful for a seated morning break.
Daily 4:30 opening
Drive-through available
Indoor outdoor seating
“There's this one barista who is always so awesome every time, always draws on the cups and is just genuinely so nice.”
Early starts and several ways to order earn Starbucks Coffee Company its No. 4 spot among breakfast options for Clarkston, MI readers. At 6677 Dixie Hwy, it serves breakfast and pastries alongside handcrafted coffee, espresso and tea, with 5 a.m. openings Wednesday through Sunday. The drive-through and curbside pickup suit mornings on the move, while indoor seating and Wi-Fi accommodate a slower visit. Its 4.1 Google rating from 614 reviews adds support; Saturday activity peaks around 10 a.m.
Breakfast and pastries
Drive-through service
Wi-Fi seating
“I was extremely disappointed with the customer service I received at this Starbucks location. I experienced a problem with the app that resulted in me being double charged. Instead of receiving understanding or assistance, Shelby was rud…”
Opening at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends, Tropical Smoothie Cafe earns the No. 5 spot for its morning hours, custom smoothies and flexible pickup options. The location at 6459 Dixie Hwy in Clarkston, MI also serves sandwiches and wraps, with counter service and seating in a casual, quiet setting. A drive-through and curbside pickup accommodate orders to go, while a children’s menu and free parking add practical conveniences for families.
A daily 9 a.m. opening, coffee and several ordering options give Taco Bell at 6584 Dixie Hwy a practical role among breakfast stops in Clarkston, MI. It earns rank 6 for its low price level and convenience: diners can sit down, use the drive-through, order takeout or choose delivery. Breakfast service, vegetarian options and free parking add to that utility. Its 3.8-star Google rating from 790 reviews provides context, while positive reviewers describe friendly service and a quickly corrected order.
Daily 9 a.m. opening
Drive-through and delivery
Coffee available
“I had a few difficulties, but service was great. Joshua provided one of the best service I have had. I had to come in after i got the wrong order, i walked threw the door and was out in a minute.”
A 5:30 a.m. opening every day gives McDonald's at 5625 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston, MI a practical place at No. 7. Breakfast and coffee are available, with drive-through, takeout and dine-in options accommodating different morning routines. Families have a children's menu, high chairs, changing tables and a play area; one reviewer described the play area as clean and fun for little ones. Another praised fast, kind service and accurate orders, though the overall Google rating is 3.3 from 1,444 reviews.
Daily 5:30 opening
Drive-through available
Children's play area
“Fix your drive thru speaker I feel like I'm talking to Kenny from South Park”
A daily 5 a.m. opening and low price level give McDonald's at 6695 Dixie Hwy in Clarkston, MI its practical appeal at rank 8. The location serves breakfast and coffee, with Egg McMuffins and hash browns appearing among its Google review topics. Drive-through service, takeout and curbside pickup offer alternatives to sitting down inside. For families eating in, high chairs, changing tables and a children's menu add convenience, while free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
Daily 5 a.m. opening
Drive-through service
Free parking
“Very rude weight staff. Also, when I came inside to pick up my order, the only person in the lobby was an employee who was on break, but she was watching a video on her phone, full volume, of people fighting.”
Ratings and review counts shown are Google ratings, displayed with attribution.
How we ranked this list
Each breakfast spot is scored on a Bayesian-weighted rating (its rating adjusted for how many reviews it has compared with the Clarkston category average), how recently we verified its details, and how complete its listing is. Scores and ranks are stored, so the order only changes when the underlying data changes.
Breakfast Spots in Clarkston, MI: common questions
Which breakfast spots offer table service in Clarkston, MI?
Mel’s Grill, Mel’s Grill 2, Sisters Cafe and 2 South Brunch House all offer table service as well as counter service. Both Mel’s locations and 2 South Brunch House open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sisters Cafe opens daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where can I stop before 6 a.m. in the Clarkston, MI area?
Starbucks at 6320 Sashabaw Rd opens at 4:30 a.m. daily. McDonald’s at 6695 Dixie Hwy opens at 5 a.m., and the location at 5625 Sashabaw Rd opens at 5:30 a.m. daily. All three serve breakfast and have drive-through service.
Which breakfast places have amenities for young children?
Both Mel’s locations, Sisters Cafe and 2 South Brunch House provide children’s menus and high chairs. McDonald’s at 5625 Sashabaw Rd also has changing tables and a play area; the 6695 Dixie Hwy location has changing tables, high chairs and a children’s menu.
Where can I have breakfast outdoors with my dog?
Mel’s Grill 2 at 7080 Gateway Park Dr and 2 South Brunch House at 2 S Main St offer outdoor seating and welcome dogs outside. Both Starbucks locations, at 6320 Sashabaw Rd and 6677 Dixie Hwy, also have outdoor seating and allow dogs outside.
Which breakfast spots offer vegetarian choices and takeout?
Mel’s Grill, Mel’s Grill 2, Sisters Cafe and 2 South Brunch House all list vegetarian options and takeout. Sisters Cafe and 2 South Brunch House also offer curbside pickup. None of these four offers delivery.
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